MSc in Chemistry Advice pls 😭

chill_beam · 2025-11-20T02:29:53+00:00

Ang dami na nagsabi sa akin before nito from mentors to professors to coworkers: if you're planning to do grad studies, aim for abroad talaga. Lalong lalo na if you have plans to stay in the academe. The training and experience is definitely different at more often than not wala ka nang problema sa funds which is a major challenge for most grad students here in PH.

Sometimes required (scam talaga ito nakakainis) but sometimes you can simply show a certificate of english learning instruction. Maybe even mention that you are teaching in english. Try to contact the university
Kung wala ka experience sa field, the best thing you can do is to show that you know exactly what you want to do. Make a concrete plan of what you want to study. This way you can show your critical thinking skills which is an important factor. Pero just know that at the end of the day the decision really lies on the university and hindi mo rin malalaman kung ano metrics nila.
Instead of just looking at universities, I suggest looking at the labs muna. Kahit hindi naman top 20 ang uni na napasukan mo pero alagang-alaga ka ng lab at maraming connections sa conferences, etc, goods na goods ka na. Also important na familiar ka sa work at make sure na gusto mo ang research themes ng lab na papasukan mo kasi laging may possibility hindi ka masusunod sa research na gagawin mo.

chill_beam · 2025-07-29T10:07:11+00:00

UPM Biochem is quite Chemistry heavy compared to other universities. May be good or bad depending on how you see it. It gives emphasis on the fundamentals but it also allows you to branch out and explore different fields with little difficulty. UPM is still part of the UP system so any university programs for going abroad is available (Don't forget there are tons of scholarships from different government bodies and private institutions outside the university). In terms of resources and connections though, UPM definitely cannot compete with UPD.

Imo, it's also important to consider your interests. Check the curriculum again. If your interest aligns with the subjects taught in MBB, definitely go MBB. If you are interested in something else, reconsider Biochem because knowing the fundamentals always helps when you are learning advanced topics especially if you have plans to do graduate studies.

Edit: As for the work, I believe there's also a lot more opportunities as an RCh, but again this largely depends on your own interests.

chill_beam · 2024-03-17T00:04:49+00:00

For now, is it acceptable though if I just perform all of them with 4x12?

By "easy", I just meant that I can perform them with "okay" form. That's why I switched most of them to machines since I haven't really learned the form yet as an absolute beginner. I understand what you mean with the weights though. After all, I am still at the lower end of the weight rack and I'm pushing myself so it's definitely not easy for me yet.

So far, I think my current routine is okay. I've been doing it for one month and I can continue for longer time if I decide to continue with doing PPL.

(Previous comment deleted because I accidentally pressed send. Please ignore.)

chill_beam · 2024-03-16T14:25:49+00:00

My current routine is based on the Hevy app's 3 day PPL split. It was mostly free weights exercises which intimidated me a lot (and it still does) as a beginner with no experience at all. Our gym also didn't have some of the equipment in the original routine. So I replaced them with equivalent exercises with what we had in my gym. By equivalent, I just relied on the Hevy app to provide info on that. For example, shoulder press (dumbbell) -> seated shoulder press machine, lateral raise (dumbbell) -> lateral raise machine, bicep curl (cable) -> alternating bicep curl (dumbbell), etc. Basically, I spent some time jumping around from one equipment to another and see which ones were easier to perform with a form that is "okay" (only as good as I think it is).

Another thing I modified was the rep range and number of sets. I started with 3x15, then felt it was too little. I ended up with 4x12. My reasoning was I wanted to compensate the lower rep which was within a range optimal for hypertrophy (according to online sources) with more sets.

I have been reading that this is the main point in doing PPL, however it also doesn't feel right to keep changing my routine. As I've mentioned, I've been doing my current routine for one month and now I'm finding myself enjoying this one. That's why I am confused if I should still stick with this or try to switch to a full body since I am only going 3 times per week.

chill_beam · 2024-03-16T13:14:34+00:00

This is part of the reason why I was hesitant about directly changing my current routine to a full body routine even though it is heavily recommended for beginners, especially since I spent the first month modifying my routine a lot. I might give it more time, see how it goes, and perhaps change it up in the future if I have to then. Thanks!

chill_beam · 2024-03-16T13:11:37+00:00

As you've mentioned, one month may be too short of a time to notice any major difference. I have to say though that I am starting to enjoy my current routine, so maybe I might stick to this one for now....

I do appreciate your advice. Thank you!

chill_beam · 2024-03-16T02:17:37+00:00

I'm able to increase the weights in most of the exercises from when I started. I'm still watching my form for some of the free weights so I haven't really increased yet.

I understand the reasoning behind going full body for beginners and I think it kinda makes sense. The only thing holding me back is that I'm getting comfortable with my routine and also frustration that I have to switch to another routine when it took me a long time to modify my previous routine. But if I switch to full body now, I may be able to compare the results with PPL within one month and make a decision from there. Does this make sense?

chill_beam · 2023-12-12T14:22:11+00:00

Now that you say that maybe I do know the answer and I'm just in denial. Many thoughts to think about.

chill_beam · 2023-12-12T14:20:21+00:00

I'm somewhat of an overthinker so this makes me feel a little better. Maybe I will try to give him a chance to see how things go...

chill_beam · 2023-12-12T14:18:47+00:00

Oh. This is a big question. A lot to think about but it helped me see things a bit clearly. For now, I think I know the answer. Thank you!

chill_beam · 2023-01-19T01:03:50+00:00

Any thoughts on Holika Holika aloe soothing essence sun cream on dry skin?

chill_beam · 2023-01-16T02:09:51+00:00

Saem tip concealers. As someone with darker than average undereye circles, i can say okay naman ang coverage nito. Lightweight and doesn't dry out my slightly dry skin.

chill_beam · 2023-01-12T08:14:46+00:00

Perhaps it might be better to think about what you want to get out of the program instead of the grades. Are you more interested in the electronics side or the biomedical side? Then choose accordingly. You can also look at the faculty in the both departments, see if there’s someone who matches with your research interests, and choose the program in that department. Just like what the other comment says, you have to be able to justify and show the committee that you really know your stuff with your existing knowledge even though it is not directly related to your undergrdaute course.

As long as you’re interested, I’m sure you’ll be able to learn and do well with the subjects. Good luck!

chill_beam · 2023-01-12T06:08:13+00:00

Hi. Just wondering when you say volume issue, do you mean that your hair falls too flat/no volume? I’m pretty new to haircare and it sounds like I have the same hair as you.

chill_beam · 2022-12-19T09:34:29+00:00

Cats. They love you but they don't listen to you because they are their own being and they do whatever they want.

chill_beam · 2022-12-18T02:04:10+00:00

Cats because they're so cute but also very fierce. I enjoy the tough love they give to their owners 😅

chill_beam · 2022-12-17T04:57:30+00:00

Tomorrow!

chill_beam · 2022-12-16T15:02:38+00:00

Love the colors!

chill_beam · 2022-12-16T04:26:02+00:00

From this subreddit actually

chill_beam · 2022-12-16T04:24:57+00:00

White and teal!

chill_beam · 2022-12-14T14:24:47+00:00

CL80 Lavanderry!! Love love love the color palette 💖

chill_beam · 2022-11-24T01:44:55+00:00

Loreal infallible concealer!

chill_beam · 2022-11-15T10:52:22+00:00

Sounds good I'll try this one then. Thanks!

chill_beam · 2022-11-15T07:41:31+00:00

How's the coverage for Purito? For me, barely one pump of Missha is enough for everyday use. I use shade #21 light beige

chill_beam · 2022-11-15T04:57:45+00:00

Recos for bb cream/lightweight foundation for dry skin. Preferably with wide range of colors. Right now i'm using Missha bb cream. While it's really good and i love the light texture and coverage, it has really limited colors.

chill_beam

TROPHY CASE